Tag Archives: Photography

Photography

Photography – Brilliant Words

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Photography is not about the camera.  It’s not even about the beautiful images we create.  It is about telling powerful stories.  Photography is a tool for creating awareness and understanding across cultures, communities, and countries; a tool to make sense of our commonalities in the world we share.

I believe objectivity is an illusion but I also believe that there are a multitude of viewpoints and that no one “Truth” exists. I believe that unless we understand and give voice to these perspectives, reason remains veiled. Ignorance in each other’s stories leads us to assume we know them. It allows us to maintain perceptions of differences based on our own pre-conceived notions.

– Ami Vitale

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iPhoneography, Photography

iPhoneography p4 – Fish Eye

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Previously published @ outdoorguyphotography.com // iPro Lens System Parts: 1 |2 | 3 | 4

My fish eye arrived and I was instantly enthralled by the extreme field of view (FOV).  This lens is even more fun than the super-wide or macro.  With a 35mm equivalent of 12mm – this is super duper ultra wide lens 2.5 times wider than the iPhone all on its own.

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iPhone Lens Specifications

LENS iPhone Fisheye
DESIGN N/A 3 elements
FOV STILL 62° 160°
FOV VIDEO 46° 120°
35MM EQUIVALENT STILL 30mm 12mm
35MM EQUIVALENT VIDEO 42mm 16mm

I volunteered at the local Humane Society to do pet photos with Santa this past season.  We were in a small room at the facility.  This appeared to be a perfect place to demonstrate the seemingly all-encompassing fish-eye.  You can see from the two images below the difference this lens makes.

iPhone only
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iPhone with Fish Eye lens
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The 160 degree FOV really captures the scene.  I was able to get a fellow photography completely in the frame as he AirDropped his Christmas list on couch as we waited for the next wave of pets.

photo 2

photo 1

I can wait to get this lens out in nature when it warms up some.  There is no doubt unlimited potential for fun with it.

Wrap Up

photo 5If you are looking to expand on your iPhone’s photographic capabilities, definitely check out the iPro Lens System from Schneider Optics.  Just so we are square, I was fortunate enough to receive this IPRO 5S TRIO KIT SERIES 2 kit free, no strings attached in the mail.  Schneider Optics did not ask for a review or have any other stipulations; it just arrived in the mail.  I was very surprised and impressed.  I have enjoyed it so much that I bought the fish eye lens and some other accessories.

I do believe this is a solid, quality product.  There is a telephoto lens available, but I struggle to see the point and only mounted it once.  Additionally, there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the wide and super-wide.  Either one or the other would be adequate I am sure.  The only other item to note is the case required to use the system.  This is only a minor annoyance given the fun I’ve had with this product.

 

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iPhoneography, Photography

iPhoneography p3 – Super Wide Angle

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Previously published @ outdoorguyphotography.com // iPro Lens System Parts: 1 |2 | 3 | 4

The following images were captured at the dining room table yesterday evening. 0IP-MACR-S2 This set was taken at home with the iPro Lens System; utilizing the macro lens.  I am pretty impressed with its ability to get in there close and capture such detail.  I maintain that these lenses can create some pretty incredible images with an iPhone. The tip of the knife blade has some interesting detail.  There is lint on my ring – in a few different locations.  I was even more impressed with the quarter.  These images have been even sharper had I utilized a tripod. The fish eye lens has arrived and I has been a lot of fun with it…more on that later.

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iPhoneography, Photography

iPhoneography p2 – Super Wide Angle

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0ip-spwa-s2Previously published @ outdoorguyphotography.com // Parts: 1 |2 | 3 | 4

The following images were captured during a trip to Estes Park, CO this past November. These two photos were taken at The Stanley Hotel with the iPro Lens System; utilizing the .45x Super Wide Lens (14mm in 35mm equivalency).  The first perspective is from the front lawn/patio.  The second photo is of the central staircase on from the second level.

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outdoorguyphotography-0154 As you can see there is some barrel distortion which super-wide angles lenses are known for.  It is a fun lens to attach to your iPhone and explore the possibilities.  This lens was fun to use and has been my favorite thus far.  I an eagerly awaiting the arrival of the fish eye lens 🙂 Here are two more photos; the first is from inside Rocky Mountain National Park.  After our wedding ceremony, Cyndie and I explored the park a bit (still dressed up) in the late afternoon light.  The second photo is what we encountered as we returned to Estes Park.  The local elk heard was milling about.

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iPhoneography, Photography

iPhoneography p1 – iPro Lens System

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Previously published @ outdoorguyphotography.com // Parts: 1 |2 | 3 | 4

iPhoneography is no doubt not a new term to most of you.  I  am just now getting around to really exploring it.  For those that still may linger in the dark and are unfamiliar, it is the combination of “iPhone” and “Photography.”  Super clever eh. ||more on that||

I didn’t abandon my bulky DSLR for those new-fangled, fancy-dancy point and shoots; I am certainly not going to give it up for a picture-taking-phone-thingy either.  There is no denying the convenience and even performance of today’s camera phones. These smart devices have already affected the camera market and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.  As I mentioned in a earlier post, The Future of Photography, people are buying point and shoot cameras less and simply relying on their smartphones for their photography needs.  There are fun things you can use in conjunction with smartphones that make the experience perhaps somewhat more desirable.

1I recently had the pleasure of receiving an iPro 5S Trio Kit Series 2 from Schneider Optics (retail $229.00).  I was instantly impressed and wowed.  This system is a hardware add-on that allows you to screw on lenses; it’s magnificent.  |

2The Trio Kit has everything you need to immediately enhance the quality of your iPhone 5S photos. In the kit you’ll find the cleverly designed case, molded to firmly but comfortably fit your iPhone 5S. The iPro handle can attach to either side of the case and serves as both a tripod mount and a case for your lenses. The Tele, Super Wide, and Macro lenses bayonet easily on to the case providing options to add width, depth, and details to all your shots.

These little lenses deliver some impressive results.  The build quality looks and feels substantial.  I have no complaints.

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IPRO .45x Super Wide Lens S2 Specs (35mm Equivalency):

Still Mode Video Mode
iPhone Native Lens 30 mm 42 mm
with iPro Super Wide 14 mm 19 mm

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IPRO 2x Tele Lens S2 Specs (35mm Equivalency):

Still Mode Video Mode
iPhone Native Lens 30 mm 42 mm
with 2x Tele Lens 60 mm 80 mm

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IPRO Macro Lens S2
With 2.5X magnification the new Macro lens provides razor-sharp details enhancing emotion in your portraits and giving your very small subjects a very big presence.  From flowers, stamps, coins, and jewelry, to that weird bug you found in the bathtub, this Macro Lens has you covered.

There are two other lenses currently available:  wide-angle and fish-eye – full list here.

I brought the iPro lens system with me on a recent trip to Colorado.  It travels well with its very compact size.  The handle/tripod holds the lenses well while not in use.  All I have mentioned thus far are what I receive to be pluses.  To be fair, this system isn’t perfect, but close.  My iPhone is in an Otterbox.  To use this system I have to dig it out of the case and switch it up with the system-specific case.  There isn’t really any other way to screw a lens on without having the special case.  I am not sure this is a con.  The case is sturdy, but does lack full frontal phone protection.  If Schneider Optics would have partnered up with Otterbox on this venture, it would be perfect.  Schneider Optics really did their homework on this and produced a real quality product that is very easy to use and well made.  The iPro Lens System is currently available for iPhone 4/5, Galaxy S4 & iPad Mini.

What do these lenses look like in action?  I will post photography examples in an upcoming post:  iPhoneography p2.  I really look forward to seeing what I can do with this system while working with the limitations of camera phones.

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